Schmidt, T., Weisser, B., Jonat, W., Baumann, F. T., & Mundhenke, C. (2012). Gentle strength training in rehabilitation of breast cancer patients compared to conventional therapy. Anticancer Research, 32, 3229–3233.
To evaluate the effect of gentle strength training on endurance and psychological outcomes in patients with breast cancer.
Patients were randomized to the intervention or control study groups. Patients in the control group participated weekly in gymnastic exercises, such as chair or floor exercises with various sports equipment. Those in the intervention group were trained with strength endurance training, according to individualized training plans based on a training load of 50% of one repetition maximum on a weekly basis. Both groups continued the weekly training program for six months. Data were collected at baseline, after three months, and after six months.
Patients were undergoing the transition phase after active treatment.
This was a randomized, two-group prospective study.
There was a significant reduction in BMI in both groups. QOL and fatigue scores showed a significant improvement in both groups at three and six months (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups. The pattern of fatigue change showed decline in both groups by three months. At the six-month time point, the intervention group continued to experience a decline, whereas those in the control group showed increased fatigue, although this level was still below that at baseline.
Both conventional gymnastic exercise and gentle strength training were associated with weight reduction and improvement in fatigue and QOL in women with breast cancer.
Findings suggested that both types of exercise were beneficial to patients with breast cancer. Further research in this area would be beneficial to determine those types of exercise and the timing of exercise related to cancer treatment that are most effective for the prevention and management of fatigue.